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Virtual Vs. Physical Home Staging - Pro's & Con's + Shopable Links

Updated: Aug 10

Coastal furniture in a styled lounge room
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With the continued advancement of AI, the use of virtual staging is becoming very common in real estate marketing photos. I’m going to be straight out and say I do not recommend virtual staging - I'm not a fan. To be fair, if done well, it can be an option to add eye-catching appeal to online photography and help the buyer to visualize the space. However, they’re let down and disappointed when they go to view the home and it’s empty, boring and lifeless. So to compare virtual vs physical home staging, I'm breaking them down into a list of pro's and con's to help you make the right decision for your home and get the most out of your sale.


It’s crucial that the buyer is able to form an emotional connection with your home when they’re previewing it. The emotional buyer is often the one who’s willing to pay the premium price. This is why I always recommend physical staying. It’s not only important to have appealing marketing photos and videos, it’s crucial during showings and physical inspections. You want the buyer to walk in to your home and say, “wow, this looks beautiful”, as opposed to “oh it’s empty. I was expecting it to be staged”.


If the upfront cost of staging isn’t quite in the budget right now, there are plenty of pay later or loan options that gives you the ability for a payment plan or to pay at closing once the property sells.


Think of physical staging as an investment. Don’t have the mindset of, “it’s not worth the cost”. There’s a lot of effort that goes into physical staging. The stylist has to preview the home, assess what pieces of furniture need to go where, select those items, load them into a truck, unload everything, set it all up to look beautiful and cohesive. Then they have to pack it all up and remove it once it sells.


Here's a list of Pro's and Con's for Virtual Vs. Physical Home Staging:


Virtual Staging

Pro's

  • Affordable

  • If done well, it’s hard to tell the difference

  • Allows buyers to visualize the space and how it can be used

  • Makes for interesting marketing photos

  • Can virtually stage using aesthetics themed towards your target market (luxury, coastal)

  • No time limit for having staging in the images

  • Fast turnaround time 

Con's

  • Can be deceiving in regards to the size of the room if the virtual staging is not proportioned correctly

  • Can look fake or warped if not done correctly

  • Even if done well, it must be disclosed that virtual staging is being used

  • Looks good online, but let’s the buyer down when going to see the property in person and it’s vacant

  • Home feels lifeless and boring during crucial viewings

  • Can look hotel-like, cold and unrealistic


Physical Staging

Pro's

  • Looks beautiful online and in person for showings

  • Accurately shows the size and layout of the rooms and spaces

  • Can be staged based on target market 

  • Buyers can see and feel the effort that has gone into presenting the property well 

  • Increases perceived value of the home. Can make an older home appear newer with modern furniture

  • Highlights the focal point (fireplace, outside views) and circulation flow of the room

  • Allows the buyer to form an emotional connection with the properly when viewing

  • Neutral staging allows the buyer to visualize how the rooms could be used and where they would put their furniture

  • Payment plans available or Afterpay options at closing

  • Can be used in video marketing

  • Option for occupied home staging


Con's

  • Can be significant in cost

  • Depending on the staging company, can still look bare/cluttered or staged and unrealistic, hotel-like

  • Longer turnaround time. More involved to assess what furniture items are needed, installation and removal

  • Limit on hire timeframe (usually 4-6 weeks) 

  • Holes need to be made in order for artwork to be hung on the walls

  • Access difficulties can add fees (eg. stairs, rural)



Online photos are the first impression. It’s so important that they’re attractive!

You don’t want the buyer to say, “it looked better in the photos”, or “it looked bigger online”. You want them to be walking through the home and say “the photos didn’t do it justice!”.


Shoppable Amazon Links:

White Rectangle Mirror: https://amzn.to/4m74Rgx

Occasional Rattan Chairs: https://amzn.to/4mewYdW

Olive Green Cushions: https://amzn.to/4fruExy

Boho Pattern Cushion: https://amzn.to/41Bq61P

White Rectangle Coffee Table: https://amzn.to/4mEDNFr

White Round Coffee Table: https://amzn.to/4mzxYZP

Tufted Area Rug: https://amzn.to/41zsruf


Check out this past project of ours where we used only physical staging, with no other improvements, to really see how staging along can completely transform a home:


Before & After



In summary, my advice is to always opt for physical home staging over virtual. Although it's the more expensive option initially, it's an investment that's almost guaranteed to get you immense returns! Your property marketing photos and videos will look beautiful, your listing will attract attention and out-shine your competition, it will allow the buyer to visualize the space and form an emotion connection, all resulting in more eyes on your property, less days on market, selling faster and for a higher price!


Book your free consultation with Creative Renovation Studio if you need help preparing your home for sale, sourcing a home staging company or budgeting for home improvements.

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